News

by Masaharu Nakagawa and Yohei Yamamoto, Staff Writers

On May 12, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to an interview with the Chugoku Shimbun at the Prime Minister’s Office and expressed his eagerness for the summit meeting of the G7 (Group of Seven industrialized nations) to be held in the A-bombed city of Hiroshima on May 19 to 21.


The Hiroshima Summit is only one week away
It holds great significance that the leaders of the G7 nations are meeting and talking in Hiroshima, a city devastated by the atomic bomb but which has made an amazing recovery. It is a place that longs for world peace, and there is no place other than Hiroshima that is suitable to express a commitment to peace.

With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has been said that the international community is at an historic turning point. I steadfastly refuse unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, and the threat to use nuclear weapons, made by Russia, let alone the use of them. We would like to demonstrate our strong will to keep a free and open international order based on the rule of law from Hiroshima.


What kinds of discussions would you lead toward ending the war in Ukraine?
We need to put an end to this prolonged invasion as soon as possible. It is vital for G7 nations to show we will continue tough sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine. I think it is important to use the summit as an opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with Ukraine.


How will you discuss the issue of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and what do you intend to include in the outcome document?
Amid the challenging international security environment, it is pointed out that the international community has been divided over the issue of nuclear disarmament. Concerns about the Russian nuclear threats are making it more difficult to achieve a world without nuclear weapons. That is why I would like to send a clear message at the summit held in the A-bombed city to revive the momentum for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Japan needs to work out a realistic and practical course of action with other G7 nations. Last year, I announced the “Hiroshima Action Plan” at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. We should not neglect the history of the non-use of nuclear weapons. We need to reconsider the functions of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) in order to reduce the number of nuclear arms. The nuclear-weapon states need to provide adequate transparency as a basis for trust.

The idea of the Hiroshima Action Plan was recognized by the participants of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that was held in Karuizawa Town of Nagano Prefecture in April. I would like to consider how we would send out the message based on this, but the details, including minute problems of wording, have not yet been concretely confirmed. I think adjustments will be made up to the last minute.

What do you want the leaders to feel when they visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Hiroshima’s Naka Ward) and meet A-bomb survivors?
The starting point of various efforts is for them to grasp firsthand the reality of the destruction wrought by the atomic bombing. I will make sure to convey the reality of the atomic bombing to the world. I will fully work out the travel itinerary, including the visit to the museum.


How would you advance discussion on global issues, such as climate change and gender inequality?
We will also need to deepen discussions on global issues such as energy, food security, climate change, health and development in order to find solutions. At the same time, it is important to work with different countries in the international community, including those considered to be in the Global South. I would like to discuss what kind of contribution or cooperation the G7 nations can provide.

Is U.S. President Joe Biden coming to Japan?
It’s up to the United States to decide. For now, Japan is ready to welcome him.

(Originally published on May 13, 2023)